1A dry, mirthless cackle cut through the sky like a bolt of lightning. The Dark Lord Voldemort stood over Severus' body, his wand extended – pointing at the ex-Potions master's chest. His mad, red eyes were glittering with menacing triumph.

Severus lay there on the ground, nestled lifelessly in a bed of colorful tea roses. He was dead, his black eyes wide; his limbs slowly stiffening with the onset of rigor-mortis. He had tried to run, warning Remus to go out the back door and Apparate. The Dark Lord was too quick for them... as always. He had killed Remus first, shooting the Killing Curse at him, hitting him directly in the back - between the shoulder blades. His body fell, his ginger hair falling into his blue eyes one last time. His body hit the ground on the horrid bullfrog rug, his expression surprised, his eyes empty.

Severus had run out the front door, his boots slamming against the stone walkway, making it to the small garden near the house. He turned, daring one last look at the Dark Lord and preparing to Apparate when the curse hit him... He fell backwards into the flowers, his expression horrified. The Dark Lord had struck again.

But he could hear the laugh... The awful rasping laugh of the Dark Lord. He was only pleased when something was in pain or dead. Preferably the latter.

"You thought that you could escape Lord Voldemort?" He asked Severus' dead body, "No one escapes the Dark Lord..." Then came another burst of terrible laughter.

"NO!"

Severus sat up, and the basement was dark. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, his body covered in a thin film of cold sweat. He took in gasping breaths, his heart hammering, "Gods..." He breathed, taking his head in his hands. The dream was so vivid... he could feel the curse hit him... falling onto the soft flowers... He could even smell the languid, delicate scent of the buds...

Hurried footsteps sounded above Severus, and a then a hard rap on the basement door.

"Severus?" Remus' voice asked. It was deep and husky. He was half asleep.

"I'm fine," Severus said softly, his voice shallow. He was still trying to regulate his breathing and heart beats. It had all felt so real... frighteningly real...

Remus opened the door and came down the stairs.

He was in patched, frayed pajamas. His hair was tousled, but his eyes were alert and focused. His nostrils flared for a moment.

"What're you afraid of?" He asked, coming over and standing in front of Severus. He looked concerned.

"Nothing." Severus replied, laying back on the bed. He looked up at Remus, then adverted his gaze. Remus frowned, and placed his hands in his pockets.

"I heard you yell something, and it woke me up. I was afraid someone was here for you," He said, and he sounded as if he really was afraid for Severus.

Snape placed his hand on his bare chest, still feeling the rapid thumping of his heart. "Tell me, Lupin," Severus began, "Have you ever studied or practiced Occlumency?" Remus' eyebrows jumped.

"Not particularly. I've dabbled in it..." He replied, "Why?"

"Because I think that the Dark Lord is trying to send me a message of some sort. You see, I haven't had a nightmare about the Dark Lord in a very long time..." He said, not realizing that he had just revealed something very personal about himself. Remus looked sympathetic.

"Would you like to practice?" Remus asked, cocking his head. Severus' black eyes flashed up to him.

"Perhaps." He replied shortly, then stood. He was bare chested, nothing on but a faded pair of black linen pants. At this time Remus noticed that even though Severus had been a rather skinny and sickly looking youngster – that was most certainly not the man that stood before him as an adult.

Severus crossed his arms over his smooth, hairless chest. He was muscular, but not unattractively so. His skin was pale, almost sallow, but it was more fair than anything else. His hair did hang in sheets around his face, his almond-shaped black eyes peering out from them. He was snake-hipped, and his long legs ended in strong, narrow feet. His pants hung very low on his hips, revealing a small line of hair that snaked down from his navel, disappearing from view once it hit the waistband. Remus found himself staring at Severus for a moment too long, and he felt an unexpected tingle somewhere in his abdomen.

"Er–well. If you'd like to, I wouldn't oppose–Occlumency, I mean." Remus said awkwardly, then cleared his throat. Severus gazed at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"All right, Lupin?" He asked, and Remus nodded.

"Fine. I'm just going to go get a drink of water." He said awkwardly. Severus nodded in agreement.

"I shall join you. I have to admit that I am a bit parched myself." He said, and Remus looked slightly put-out. He didn't want to admit that he had just been attracted to Severus Snape. Though... it was late at night. People do odd things when they haven't slept. Severus seemed not to notice Remus looking as if he was debating with himself. He followed the werewolf up the stairs.

As they made their way, Severus looked up, and for some reason, started to watch Remus from behind. Even though he didn't want to confess to it -- it wasn't a bad view at all. Remus had a very nice body. He was tall, his shoulders broad, though he slouched. His legs were long and seductive, and Severus decided somewhere in the back of his mind that Remus did have a rather nice arse.

Severus shook his head and started to think of Occlumency. He had to practice more... thinking about whether or not Remus Lupin was attractive (even though he knew that was a yes) wasn't important at the time... no matter how many times his mind now wanted to wander onto the subject.

They arrived in the kitchen, and Remus took down two small glasses and filled them with water, then handed Severus one.

Severus took it gratefully and gulped it down, refreshing his dry throat. Remus took the glass to his lips, watching his snarky companion's neck. He could see him swallowing... the liquid going down his throat. His Adam's Apple moving in time with his swallows. Just then, very risque pictures of Severus Snape doing something else with his mouth and throat entered his mind. Remus closed his eyes, took all of the water in the glass in one gulp, and set it on the counter.

He did this all so fast that Severus flinched at the sudden movement, choking slightly on the water, some slopping down his chest. He set the glass down, and looked around for a hand towel.

"I'm sorry." Remus apologized softly. He picked up the nearest hand towel and began to wipe at the Potion master's chest, watching the cool water slide down his skin. The droplets were soon hitting the waistband of Severus' pants, and Remus couldn't help but look as the linen began to cling to his body. He swallowed hard. More thoughts of filth popped up in his mind. It was the wolf in him...

Severus snatched the towel away and began patting at himself. He coughed a bit more, and tossed the towel aside when he was finished.

"What is wrong with you?" He asked, his lips pursing, his eyes narrowing. Remus shook his head.

"Just tired – good night, Severus." He said quickly. Severus raised an eyebrow, watching him go. He shook his head, then quietly retired back to the basement, thought not sleeping again that night.

He had to be prepared if the Dark Lord tried to find him through Occlumency. Severus had to keep himself sharp, blocking his mind. Perhaps he should practice with Remus. He was a good member of the Order, and as much as Severus hated to even consider it–he could trust Remus.

With all this on his mind, Severus needed something to relax. He began working on the Wolfsbane potion again, deciding that he'd go out the next day to look for Wormwood in the forest that Lupin lived in.